Young people’s brains have a lot going on and it’s hard to prioritize. Old folks already had their learning experiences of forgetting to vote or seeing the repercussions of not voting. No one is at fault per se and this is just a natural reflection of how people learn over time.

I happened to turn 18 right in time to vote in a [US] presidential election year. I've made a point to vote in every election I can from that point on.

Did I have "a lot going on"? Sure. Do I have utter faith in "The Government" and//or "The Voting Process"? Not really.

But I still vote. It's my right and also, as I've come to see it, my duty. Free speech or no, I believe that if I want to complain about an election and be taken seriously I should participate in it at at least the bare minimal active level.

My strong belief is that the PRIVILEGE to 'complain' (I usually use a different word) about the outcome depends on exercising the RIGHT to vote.

I've always made time to vote, and at least read the voter's pamphlet if not also further sources to attempt to make that vote an informed one.

I'm curious: what other word do you use?

Asking for a thesaurus.

I’ve voted in every election since turning 18.

Like the parent comment said, there is a noticeable difference even in states like Washington. We have close to two weeks to fill out the ballots and mail it back or drop it off. There is a huge difference between "having a lot going on" and "procrastinating for two weeks". the ballots take ~5 minutes to fill out, and ~10 minutes to drop off.